The MV Fair Chance, the Vincentian vessel which overturned on the North Coast of Trinidad on Saturday, has now drifted into Venezuelan waters.
In a media release on Monday afternoon, the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard confirmed that none of the five missing persons from the vessel had been seen or detected. Two of the seven-member crew were rescued on Saturday and taken to the Coast Guard at Staubles Bay.
The TTCG said it ensued an operation on Saturday to tow the vessel into shallower and calmer waters, but they were unsuccessful due to the size and weight.
It added that it has now established and maintained liaison with Venezuelan authorities to facilitate the presence of a TTCG vessel alongside the MV Fair Chance.
The Coast Guard said on Sunday at 4pm, the owners of the vessel were able to arrange a tug boat which made its way into Venezuelan waters and began towing it back into T&T waters, but this is challenging since it is partially submerged.
It said the intent is to take the vessel into shallower waters so that divers can commence searches inside of the overturned vessel.